Dental erosion in patients with chronic alcoholism.

Tooth wear attributed to the physical wear of teeth by clenching and grinding (attrition) has been described previously in alcoholic patients. However, the pattern of wear seen in the series of cases reported here is more consistent with chemical damage (erosion) than attrition. A possible mechanism for this process is suggested, and it is further suggested that erosion is likely to play a more important role in the wear of the teeth in chronic alcoholic patients than attrition.